Mobile storage container systems

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses and methods of storing materials, such as liquids, are provided. Mobile storage container systems are disclosed that include or can be erected using multiple transportable storage tanks arranged to form a perimeter and lined with a liner. The transportable storage tanks can include lateral extension panels and/or height extension panels to increase a perimeter and/or a depth of the storage container formed by the multiple transportable storage tanks.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/118,260, titled MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINER SYSTEMS, filed Feb. 19, 2015, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to storage for materials such as liquids, and more specifically to mobile systems for storing materials.

BACKGROUND

Water is a major constituent for life on earth and an essential resource for many functions and processes. Many industrial processes require water.

In 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated that 70 to 140 billion gallons of water are used to fracture 35,000 wells in the United States each year. This is approximately the annual water consumption of 40 to 80 cities each with a population of 50,000. Fracture treatments in coalbed methane wells use from 50,000 to 350,000 gallons of water per well, while deeper horizontal shale wells can use anywhere from 2 to 10 million gallons of water to fracture a single well. For remote drilling sites, obtaining and storing water for use in fracture treatments can be challenging.

Currently, water at drill sites is stored in traditional water storage tanks, commonly referred to as “frac tanks” (approximately 80 to 100 tanks per site), or in one or two large mobile ponds. The mobile ponds began to be used because, in some drilling locations, it is less expensive to set up a large mobile pond than to transport by truck the number of traditional frac tanks to store the same amount of water. However, most drilling sites still use traditional frac tanks because, depending on the location of the drill site, setup and breakdown costs of a pond can be more expensive than trucking in 80 to 100 traditional frac tanks. Heavy equipment and machinery as well as a lot of manpower are needed to set up and break down the presently available ponds.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides embodiments of mobile storage containers that can be erected using fewer resources while storing similar or greater water than presently available containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments disclosed herein will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only typical embodiments, which will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a side sectional view of the mobile storage container system, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a back view of the mobile storage container system.

FIG. 1C is a top view of the mobile storage container system with a liner.

FIG. 1D is a top view of the mobile storage container system without the liner.

FIG. 2A is a top view of a mobile storage container system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a portion of the mobile storage container system of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is an exploded view of the mobile storage container system of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a front side view of a mobile storage container system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a back side view of the mobile storage container system of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is an enlarged front side view of a lateral extension panel of the mobile storage container system of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3D is an exploded view of a lateral extension panel of the mobile storage container system of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3E is a top view of the mobile storage container system of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a front view of a transportable storage tank of a mobile storage container system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, in a stowed configuration.

FIG. 4B is a front view of the transportable storage tank of FIG. 4A with a lateral extension panel in an operational configuration.

FIG. 4C is a back view of the transportable storage tank of FIG. 4A coupled to other transportable storage tanks.

FIG. 4D is a top view of the transportable storage tank of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a side view of a transportable storage tank of a mobile liquid storage container system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a front view of the transportable storage tank of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a side view of a transportable storage tank of a mobile storage container system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a stowed configuration.

FIG. 6B is a side view of the transportable storage tank of FIG. 6A in an operational configuration.

FIG. 7A is a side view of a transportable storage tank of a mobile storage container system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, in a stowed configuration.

FIG. 7B is a side view of the transportable storage tank of FIG. 7A in an operational configuration.

FIG. 7C is an enlarged view of the transportable storage tank of FIG. 7B.

FIG. 8A is a side view of a transportable storage tank of a mobile storage container system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, in a stowed configuration.

FIG. 8B is a side view of the transportable storage tank of FIG. 8A in an operational configuration.

FIG. 9A is a side view of a transportable storage tank of a mobile storage container system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, in a stowed configuration.

FIG. 9B is a side view of the transportable storage tank of FIG. 9A in an operational configuration.

FIG. 10 is an interior view of a mobile storage container system, according to another embodiment, in an operational configuration.

FIGS. 11A-11F are front and side views of a transportable storage tank of a mobile liquid storage container system, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 12A-12C are views of a transportable storage tank of a mobile storage container system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a mobile storage container system, according to another embodiment, without a liner.

FIG. 14A is an isometric view of a transportable storage tank of a mobile storage container system, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 14B is a side elevation view of the transportable storage tank of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 14C is a top view of the transportable storage tank of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 15A is an enlarged top view of a transportable storage tank of a mobile storage container system, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 15B is an enlarged top cross-sectional view of the transportable storage tank of FIG. 15A showing a spreader beam.

FIG. 15C is an enlarged partial-sectional side view of the transportable storage tank of FIG. 15A showing a spreader beam.

FIG. 16A is a top view of a portion of a lateral extension panel of a transportable storage tank of a mobile storage container system, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 16B is another top view of lateral extension panels of transportable storage tanks.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of a cable coupling mechanism of a transportable storage tank of a mobile storage container system, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of a cable coupling mechanism of a transportable storage tank of a mobile storage container system, according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hydraulic fracturing (also hydrofracturing, hydrofracking, fracking, or fraccing) is an oil or gas well-stimulation technique in which rock is fractured by a pressurized liquid. Billion gallons of water are used each year in “fracking” processes. Obtaining and storing water for use in fracture treatments can be challenging. Generally water is transported into a drilling area and stored in portable tanks or ponds onsite.

The present disclosure provides embodiments of mobile storage containers that can be transported utilizing similar transportation resources as current pond technology and that can be erected utilizing fewer resources, limited manpower, and little or no heavy equipment and machinery.

It will be readily understood with the aid of the present disclosure that the components of the embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a variety of configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

The phrases “connected to,” “coupled to,” and “in communication with” refer to any form of interaction between two or more entities, including mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fluid, and thermal interaction. Two components may be coupled to each other even though they are not in direct contact with each other. For example, two components may be coupled to each other through an intermediate component.

Furthermore, the described features, operations, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It will also be readily understood that the order of the steps or actions of the methods described in connection with the embodiments disclosed may be changed as would be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, any order in the drawings or Detailed Description is for illustrative purposes only and is not meant to imply a required order, unless specified to require an order.

FIGS. 1A-1D are views of a mobile storage container system 100, according to one embodiment. FIG. 1A is a side sectional view of the mobile storage container system 100. FIG. 1B is a back view of the mobile storage container system 100. FIG. 1C is a top view of the mobile storage container system 100 with a liner 104. FIG. 1D is a top view of the mobile storage container system 100 without the liner 104. Referring to FIGS. 1A-1D collectively, the mobile storage container system 100 includes a plurality of transportable storage tanks 102 and a liner 104. The mobile storage container system 100 is configured to be transportable to a desired location to erect or otherwise assemble an open storage container 101 having an interior for storing material such as water or other liquid.

The plurality of transportable storage tanks 102 is configured to be parked or otherwise arranged to form a perimeter 103 of the open storage container 101. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1 D, the perimeter 103 of the open storage container 101 may be at an interior (e.g., toward the interior of the perimeter 103) surface of the plurality of transportable storage tanks 102. However, in other embodiments, the perimeter may be displaced from the interior surface of the plurality of transportable storage tanks 102.

A transportable storage tank 102 may include a tank body 110, one or more liner coupling devices 112, a spout, and a ladder 116. The tank body 110 of a transportable storage tank 102 may include a base panel 122, one or more side panels 124 a, 124 b, 124 c, 124 d (generally and collectively 124) coupled to the base panel 122 and forming a liquid impermeable tank wall, and a top panel 126 coupled to the one or more side panels 124. The panels 122, 124, 126 define a hollow interior (not pictured) or chamber. The panels 122, 124, 126 of the tank body 110 may be configured to be liquid impermeable to store water or other liquids. The tank body 110 may be a rectangular box shape. In other embodiments, a tank body may be another suitable shape. The tank body 110 may also include a plurality of liner spacers or guides that may prevent or limit the liner 104 from coming in contact with any sharp edges of the tank body 110. The liner spacers may prevent or limit a liner from catching or snagging on the tank body 110. The line spacers may also prevent the tank body 110 from rupturing or otherwise damaging the liner 104. The tank body 110 may be formed of a material that is sufficiently rigid to maintain its shape and configuration while stationary, during transportation, and when the interior of the tank body 110 is empty, partially filled, or completely filled. The tank body 110 may also be formed of a material that is sufficiently rigid and of sufficient strength to withstand the stress or forces that may be present during use of a ladder 116 or stairs disposed in or on the tank body 110 of the transportable storage tank 102. For example, the tank body 110 may be formed of steel. In other embodiments, the tank body 110 may be formed of another metal, a metal alloy, or a rigid polymer.

The one or more liner coupling devices 112 may be disposed in a top outer surface of the tank body 110 (e.g., a top panel 126 of the tank body 110). The liner coupling device 112 may facilitate deployment of the liner 104 to line an interior of the perimeter formed by the plurality of transportable storage tanks 102 to form the storage container 101. The liner coupling device 112 couples the liner 104 to the transportable storage tank 102 by engaging the liner 104. For example, the liner coupling device 112 may include a clasp that pinches, clamps, or otherwise applies a force to both a top surface and a bottom surface of the liner 104, at an edge of the liner 104, to fasten the liner 104 to the transportable storage tank 102. In another embodiment, the liner coupling device 112 may include rare earth magnets configured by their size, position, or polarity to couple with or fasten to corresponding rare earth magnets that may be present in a liner 104. In still other embodiments, the liner coupling device 112 may include a hook to engage an eyelet or a loop in or on the liner 104.

The plurality of transportable storage tanks 102 may each be configured to be positioned adjacent to another storage tank 102 to define a perimeter 103 of the open storage container 101. Stated differently, the plurality of transportable storage tanks 102 may define an open space that is disposed in the interior of a perimeter 103 formed by the plurality of transportable storage tanks 102. Adjacent transportable storage tanks 102 may be positioned adjacent each other without the tank bodies of either transportable storage tank 102 being coupled, connected, or in fluid communication. For example, the configuration of the plurality of transportable storage tanks 102 may be similar to the configuration of transportable storage tanks 102 shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D. As can be appreciated, the plurality of transportable storage tanks 102 may include a greater or smaller number of transportable storage tanks than the number of transportable storage tanks 102 shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D. As can also be appreciated, the shape and size of the perimeter and/or space formed by the configuration of the plurality of transportable storage tanks 102 may be one of a variety of different possible shapes or sizes, based on how each of the transportable storage tanks 102 is disposed or positioned relative to the others. Other shapes and sizes of perimeters/spaces are shown in other figures.

The liner 104 may be disposed within the interior of the open space to further define the storage container 101 and facilitate storage of material within the open space. The liner 104 may include a membrane formed of a liquid impermeable material so as to enable storage of water and other liquids. The liner 104 couples to one or more of the transportable storage tanks 102 of the plurality of transportable storage tanks 102. The liner 104 may be of a size and shape to facilitate a configuration in which the liner 104 may be disposed adjacent to the ground as well as adjacent to any transportable storage tanks 102 with which the liner 104 may be coupled. Coupling the liner 104 to a liner coupling device 112 may fasten the liner 104 to the plurality of transportable storage tanks 102 and may prevent the liner from falling, sliding, or otherwise moving in an undesired way during use of the mobile storage container system 100. The liner 104 can form a liquid impermeable wall defining an interior of the open storage container 101. Within the interior of the open storage container, water or other liquids may be stored without significant leakage or loss of liquid.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are, respectively, a top view and a close-up view of a mobile storage container system 200, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2C is an exploded view of FIG. 2B. The mobile storage container system 200 of FIGS. 2A-2C may resemble the mobile storage container system 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1D. Accordingly, like features may be designated with like reference numerals, with the leading digits incremented to “2.” Relevant disclosure set forth above regarding similarly identified features thus may not be repeated hereafter. Moreover, specific features of the mobile storage container system 200 may not be shown or identified by a reference numeral in the drawings or specifically discussed in the written description that follows. However, such features may clearly be the same, or substantially the same, as features depicted in other embodiments and/or described with respect to such embodiments. Accordingly, the relevant descriptions of such features apply equally to the features of the mobile storage container system 200. Any suitable combination of the features and variations of the same described with respect to the mobile storage container system 100 can be employed with the mobile storage container system 200, and vice versa. This pattern of disclosure applies equally to further embodiments depicted in subsequent figures and described hereafter.

The mobile storage container system 200 of FIGS. 2A-2C may include components present in the mobile storage container system 100 of FIGS. 1A-1D and may include additional components that are not present in the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1 D, such as a tank body coupling mechanism 230. The mobile storage container system 200 is shown in FIGS. 2A-2C without a liner for sake of clarity, but nevertheless can include a liner.

The tank body coupling mechanism 230 may include a coupling pin 232, a first set of eyes 234, and a second set of eyes 236. The first set of eyes 234 may be disposed on a front side panel 224 a of a tank body 210 of a transportable storage tank 202. The second set of eyes 236 may be disposed in a lateral side panel 224 c of the tank body 210 of the transportable storage tank 202. The first set of eyes 234 disposed in the front side panel 224 a of a storage tank 202 may be offset by some vertical distance from the second set of eyes 236 disposed in the lateral side panel 224 c of a storage tank 202, which allows the first set of eyes 234 of a transportable storage tank 202 to couple with the second set of eyes of a first adjacent transportable storage tank 202 and allows the second set of eyes 236 to couple with the first set of eyes 234 of a second adjacent transportable storage tank 202. The first set of eyes 234 and the second set of eyes 236 of an adjacent tank couple to align vertically. A coupling pin 232 through the aligned first and second sets of eyes 234, 236 may engage the aligned first and second sets of eyes 234, 236 and facilitate coupling together adjacent transportable storage tanks 202.

FIGS. 3A-3E are various views of a mobile storage container system 300, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3A is a front side view of the mobile storage container system 300. FIG. 3B is a back side view of the mobile storage container system 300. FIG. 3C is an enlarged front side view of a lateral extension panel 340 of the mobile storage container system 300. FIG. 3D is an exploded view of a lateral extension panel 340 of the mobile storage container system 300. FIG. 3E is a top view of the mobile storage container system 300. The mobile storage container system 300 of FIGS. 3A-3E may include similar components that are present in the mobile storage container systems 100, 200 of FIGS. 1A-1D and 2A-2C described above, and may include additional components. The mobile storage container system 300, and more particularly the transportable storage tanks 302, includes lateral extension panels 340 configured to extend laterally from the transportable storage tanks 302 to increase the perimeter of the storage container 301 defined by the transportable storage tanks 302. A lateral extension panel 340 may include a panel body 342, first and second panel coupling mechanisms 344 a, 344 b (generally and collectively 344), and a liner coupling mechanism 346.

The panel body 342 of a lateral extension panel 340 may be of a size or shape that may facilitate coupling to a pair of adjacent transportable storage tanks 302 defining a perimeter of a storage container 301. The panel body 342 defines a portion of the perimeter, allowing the adjacent transportable storage tanks 302 to be separated by a certain distance. The panel body 342 may be of a sufficiently rigid material to withstand forces of a material stored within the storage container 301 and to facilitate fixedly coupling adjacent transportable storage tanks 302 to limit or even prevent undesired decoupling of the tanks when an outward pressure is applied to the lateral extension panel 340. The panel body 342 may be rectangular in shape with a length to allow a stowed configuration of the panel. In the stowed configuration, the panel body 342 may be disposed adjacent to and/or coupled to the tank body 310 of a single storage tank 302.

The panel coupling mechanism 344 allows the lateral extension panel 340 to transition from the stowed configuration to an operational configuration, extending laterally from the transportable storage tank 302 to increase the perimeter of the storage container 301. In the mobile storage container system 300 of FIGS. 3A-3E, the panel coupling mechanism 344 hingedly couples the panel body 342 to a front side panel 324 a of the tank body 310. The first panel coupling mechanism 344 a may include a first set of eyes 334 a disposed at a first end of the panel body 342 and configured to cooperate with a first cooperating set of eyes 336 a disposed in the front side panel 324 of the tank body 310. The first set of eyes 334 a align with the first cooperating set of eyes 336 a and are joined by a first set of pins 332 a to provide rotatable coupling of the first set of eyes 334 a and the first cooperating set of eyes 336 a. The second panel coupling mechanism 344 b may include a second set of eyes 334 b disposed at a second end of the panel body 342 and configured to cooperate with a second cooperating set of eyes 336 b disposed in the front side panel 324 of the tank body 310. The second set of eyes 334 b align with the second cooperating set of eyes 336 b and are joined by a second set of pins 332 b to provide rotatable coupling of the second set of eyes 334 b and the second cooperating set of eyes 336 b.

In the stowed configuration, the first and second sets of eyes 334 a, 334 b may couple to the first and second cooperating sets of eyes 336 a, 336 b of a single transportable storage tank 302, thus securing the lateral extension panel 340 to the transportable storage tank 302. To transition the lateral extension panel 340 to an operational configuration, the second coupling mechanism 344 b may be released (e.g., the second set of pins 332 b may be removed from the aligned second set of eyes 334 b and second cooperating set of eyes 336 b) to allow the second end of the lateral extension panel 340 to release from the transportable storage tank 302. The lateral extension panel 340 can then rotate about the first coupling mechanism 344 a to the operational configuration, in which the lateral extension member extending laterally from the transportable storage tank 302. The second set of eyes 334 b can then couple to the second cooperating set of eyes 336 b of an adjacent transportable storage tank 302. In this manner, the lateral extension panel 340 may function as a tank body coupling mechanism that secures adjacent transportable storage tanks 302 to form the perimeter of the storage container 301. In other words, the lateral extension panel 340 may be simultaneously coupled to the tank body 310 of two adjacent transportable storage tanks 302.

A number of transportable storage tanks 302 may be coupled in this same manner to form the perimeter of open storage container 301. If a plurality of transportable storage tanks 302 are fixedly coupled by lateral extension panels 340, the perimeter of the open liquid storage may be significantly larger as compared to the perimeter of an open liquid storage container having the same number of transportable storage tanks without lateral extension panels 340.

The liner coupling devices 346 may be disposed in a top and/or outer surface of the lateral extension panel 340 (e.g., exterior to the perimeter of the storage container 301 when the lateral extension panel 340 is in the operational configuration). The liner coupling device 346 may facilitate deployment of a liner (e.g., liner 104 of FIG. 1A) to line an interior of the perimeter formed by the plurality of transportable storage tanks 302, including the lateral extension panels 340, to form the storage container 301. The liner coupling device 346 couples the liner to the lateral extension panel 340 by engaging the liner 104. For example, the liner coupling device 346 may include a clasp that pinches, clamps, or otherwise applies a force to both a top surface and a bottom surface of the liner 104, at an edge of the liner, to fasten the liner to the lateral extension panel 340. In another embodiment, the liner coupling device 346 may include rare earth magnets configured by their size, position, or polarity to couple with or fasten to corresponding rare earth magnets that may be present in a liner. In still other embodiments, the liner coupling device 346 may include a hook to engage a loop in or on the liner 104.

In another embodiment, the lateral extension panel 340 may be slidably coupled to the tank body 310 of the transportable storage tank 302, rather than hingedly coupled. The lateral extension panel 340 may slide along a rail or track to transition from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration. An example of sliding lateral extension panels can be seen in FIGS. 8A-8B and 9A-9B and are described below with reference to the same.

FIGS. 4A-4B are front views of a transportable storage tank 402 of a mobile storage container system 400, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4C is a back view of the transportable storage tank 402 coupled to other transportable storage tanks 402. FIG. 4D is a top view of the transportable storage tank 402. The transportable storage tank 402 of FIGS. 4A-4D may include components that are present in the foregoing described embodiments and may include additional components that are not present in the foregoing described embodiments. The transportable storage tanks 402 may include one or more lateral extension panels 440 that include a panel body 442, a panel hinge 444, one or more panel coupling pin loops 448, and a liner coupling mechanism 446.

A panel body 442 is configured to pivot about the panel hinge 444 from a stowed configuration, as shown in FIG. 4A, to an operational configuration, as shown in FIG. 4B. Each panel body 442 includes one or more panel coupling pin loops 448 that receive panel coupling pins 449 to facilitate coupling the panel body 442 to another panel body 442. The panel body 442 is also configured to couple to another panel body 442 with an overlap, as shown in FIG. 4D. For example, a female lateral extension panel 440 a may include a notch to receive a male lateral extension panel 440 b (generally and collectively designated 440).

The panel pin loops 448 may be disposed in the outer front surface of the panel body 442 in the stowed configuration, which becomes a surface on an exterior of the storage container in the operational configuration. The panel coupling pin loops 448 in the stowed configuration may align with panel coupling pin loops 448 of another panel body 442 of the same transportable storage tank 402, to receive panel coupling pins 449 to secure the lateral extension panels 440 in the stowed configuration. The panel coupling pin loops 448 and the panel coupling pins 449 may be configured by their size, shape, orientation, or horizontal alignment to facilitate coupling the lateral extension panel 440 with another lateral extension panel 440. The panel coupling pin loops 448 and the panel coupling pins 449 may also be configured by their size, shape, orientation, or horizontal alignment to facilitate coupling the lateral extension panel 440 with another lateral extension panel 440 of an adjacent transportable storage tank 402. An alignment of panel coupling pin loops 448 may facilitate coupling two extension panels 440 by engaging the aligned panel coupling pin loops 448 with a panel coupling pin 449, as shown in FIG. 4C. Coupling the lateral extension panels 440 with the panel coupling pins 448 and panel coupling pin loops 449 may create the perimeter of the open liquid storage container and may configure the perimeter of the container to withstand outward pressures applied to the lateral extension panels and tank bodies by the liquid contained in the open liquid storage container.

The panel coupling pins 449 may be configured to engage the coupling pin loops 448 of a lateral extension panel 440 and thereby couple the lateral extension panel 440 with another lateral extension panel 440 or a tank body 410 of a transportable storage tank 402. The pins may include a locking mechanism to prevent undesired disengagement or decoupling of a coupling pin loop and corresponding coupling pin. The locking mechanism may include a fixed extension member 452 and locking screws 454. The extension member 452 extends orthogonally from the panel coupling pin 449 and may prevent excessive horizontal movement of the coupling panel pin 449 through the panel coupling pin loop 448. The extension member 452 may come into contact with the panel coupling pin loop 448 and prevent continued horizontal motion in a direction toward the panel coupling pin loop 448. The locking screws 454 may engage the panel coupling pin 449 on an opposite side of the coupling pin loop 448 from the extension member 452. The locking screws 454 may prevent any undesired backward horizontal motion of the panel coupling pin 449, as the locking screws 454 may come into contact with a panel coupling pin loop 448 and may prevent further horizontal movement of the panel coupling pin 449. The locking screws 454 and fixed extension member 452 may prevent undesired disengagement of the panel coupling pins 449 from the panel coupling pin loops 448 during operation of the mobile storage container system 400.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a side view and front view, respectively, of a transportable storage tank 502 of a mobile liquid storage container system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The transportable storage tank 502 of FIGS. 5A and 5B may include components that are present in the foregoing embodiments and may include additional components that are not present in the foregoing embodiments. The transportable storage tank 502 may include one or more height extension panels 560. The height extension panels 560 of FIGS. 5A and 5B may be removable or disconnectable, such that they can completely separate from the transportable storage tank 502 to transition from a stowed configuration to an operational configuration. The height extension panels 560 are each configured to transition from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration extending upward to increase a height dimension of the perimeter of the container and thereby increase a depth of a storage container defined by the transportable storage tanks 502. The height extension panels 560 may include a panel body 562, a plurality of panel clamps 561, and a liner coupling mechanism (not shown).

The panel body 562 of a height extension panel 560 may be of a size or shape that may facilitate coupling to a top surface (e.g., an outer surface of a top panel) of a transportable storage tank 502 to extend a height of a perimeter of an open storage container formed by a plurality of the transportable storage tanks 502.

The plurality of panel clamps 561 may be positioned along edges of the panel body 562 to couple the height extension panel 560 with the transportable storage tank 502 or with adjacent height extension panels 560. The panel clamps 561 may include two bodies, a threaded clamp screw, and a corresponding nut configured to receive the threaded clamp screw. The clamp bodies may be disposed horizontally opposite one another at the joint of two height extension panels 560 or of a height extension panel 560 and tank body 510 of the transportable storage tank 502. Further, the clamp bodies may be configured with a threaded hole to receive a clamp screw. The clamp screw may engage the first clamp body and extend through the first clamp body to engage the second clamp body and the corresponding nut. The nut may then be tightened on the clamp screw to create a force applied at the joint of the two bodies and may facilitate coupling the removable panels or the removable panel with the transportable storage tank 502.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are side views of a transportable storage tank 602 of a mobile storage container system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a stowed configuration and an operational configuration, respectively. The transportable storage tank 602 of FIGS. 6A and 6B may include components that are present in the foregoing embodiments and may include additional components not present in the foregoing embodiments. For example, the transportable storage tank 602 may include one or more height extension panels 660. The height extension panels 660 may be slidable from the stowed configuration of FIG. 6A to the operational configuration of FIG. 6B. The sliding height extension panel 660 may include a panel body 662, a slide coupling mechanism 664, and a liner coupling mechanism (not shown).

The slide coupling mechanism 664 slidably couples the sliding height extension panel 660 to the tank body 610 of the transportable storage tank 602 and may facilitate transitioning the sliding height extension panel 660 between the stowed configuration and the operational configuration. The slide coupling mechanism 664 may include a rail 666 or track and a lockable support bar 668. The panel body 662 of the sliding height extension panel 660 may include extended members that may be disposed in the panel body 662 and may be configured to couple with the rail of the slide coupling mechanism 664. The extended members of the panel body 662 may be configured to facilitate an upward or downward motion of the panel body 662 along the track 66 of the slide coupling mechanism 664. The lockable support bar 668 may be rotatably coupled to the top surface of a tank body 610 by a hinge disposed in the tank body 610 of the transportable storage tank 602. The lockable support bar 668 may rotate in a counter clockwise motion (when viewed from the rear of the tank) and backwards or away from the sliding height extension panel 660 to facilitate a transition of the sliding height extension panel 660 from the storage configuration to the operational configuration. The sliding height extension panel 660 may be transitioned from the storage configuration to the operational configuration by application of an upward force to the sliding height extension panel 660. The lockable support bar 668 may be disposed to lock a sliding height extension panel 660 into the operational configuration. The lockable support bar 668 may facilitate an operational configuration of the sliding height extension panel by coupling to the panel body 662 of the sliding height extension panel 660 and preventing a downward movement of the panel body. A downward force applied to the sliding height extension panel 660 may be met with an opposing force originating in the engaged lockable support bar 668 and the track system of the slide coupling mechanism 664.

FIGS. 7A-7B are a side view of a transportable storage tank 702 of a mobile storage container system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a stowed configuration and an operational configuration, respectively. FIG. 7C is an enlarged view of a height extension panel coupling mechanism 764. The transportable storage tank 702 of FIGS. 7A-7C may include components present in the foregoing embodiments and may include additional components not present in the foregoing embodiments. For example, the transportable storage tank 702 may include one or more pivoting height extension panels 760. A pivoting height extension panel 760 may include a panel hinge 764 and a lockable support bar 768.

The panel hinge 764 may rotatably couple the pivoting height extension panel 760 with the tank body 710 of the transportable storage tank 702. The panel hinge 764 may be disposed at a panel pivot point or axis of rotation, and may facilitate the rotation of the pivoting height extension panel 760 from the stowed configuration of FIG. 7A to the operable configuration of FIG. 7B. In the stowed configuration, the pivoting height extension panel 760 may be disposed adjacent to the front surface of the tank body 710. To transition the pivoting height extension panel 760 to the operational configuration, the pivoting height extension panel 760 may rotate about the panel hinge 764 (e.g., panel pivot point) roughly 180 degrees. The panel hinge 764 may include eyes disposed in the pivoting panel and in the front surface of the tank body. The eyes may be configured to couple with a pin that may engage the two sets of eyes and may be configured to facilitate rotation of the pivoting panel about the pivot point defined by the panel hinge 764.

The lockable support bar 768 may be rotatably coupled to the top surface of the tank body 710 of a transportable storage tank 702 by a hinge disposed in the tank body. The hinge of the lockable support bar 768 may allow it to rotate away from the pivoting height extension panel 760. The rotation of the lockable support bar 768 relative to the front surface of the tank body 710 may facilitate a transition of the pivoting panel from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration. The lockable support bar 768 may then be configured to lock the pivoting height extension panel 760 into the operational configuration by coupling to the pivoting height extension panel 760. The lockable support bar 768 may couple with the panel body 762 of the pivoting height extension panel 760 by an upward facing hook disposed in the end of the support bar engaging a corresponding downward facing hook that may be disposed in the panel body. The coupling of the lockable support bar hook and the corresponding panel body hook may prevent a downward movement or rotation of the pivoting extension panel, and may also couple the lockable support bar with the pivoting height extension panel. This configuration of the lockable support bar and the panel body may cause that a downward force on the pivoting panel may cause an inward force on the lockable support bar. Further, a force directed orthogonal to the front surface of the tank body may be applied to the pivoting panel and the coupled hooks of the support bar and panel body may preserve the operational configuration of the pivoting panel.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are side views of a transportable storage tank 802 of a mobile storage container system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The transportable storage tank 802 may include any of the components present in the foregoing embodiments and may also include additional components that are not present in the foregoing embodiments. For example, the transportable storage tank 802 may include one or more lateral extension panels 840 and one or more sliding height extension panels 860 a and removable height extension panels 860 b (generally and collectively 860).

In the embodiment of FIGS. 8A and 8B, the depth and perimeter of an open storage container defined by a plurality of transportable storage tanks 802 may be increased by increasing the height and perimeter of the transportable storage tanks 802. Lateral extension panels 840, sliding height extension panels 860 a, and removable height extension panels 860 b may all increase the height and perimeter of a storage container defined by the transportable storage tanks 802.

While in a stowed configuration, the lateral extension panels 840 may be disposed adjacent to the front surface of the tank body 810. The lateral extension panels 840 may be slidably coupled to the front surface of the tank body 810, and may transition to the operational configuration by sliding outward from the front surface of the tank body 810 and may increase the perimeter of the open storage container. In other embodiments, the lateral extension panels 840 may be rotatably coupled to the tank body 810 and may transition to the operational configuration by rotating outward from the front surface of the tank body 810 and may increase the perimeter of the open liquid storage container.

The sliding height extension panels 860 a may be coupled to a rail 866 disposed on the tank body 810 of the transportable storage tank 802. In the stowed configuration, the sliding height extension panels 860 a may be disposed adjacent to the lateral extension panels 840 and the front surface of the transportable storage tank 802. In the operational configuration, a lower surface of the slidable height extension panels 860 a may be disposed adjacent to the top surface of the tank body 810 and may extend the height of the storage container above the transportable storage tank 802.

The removable height extension panels 860 b may be coupled to the top surface of the lateral extension panels 840 by a plurality of coupling clamps such as the clamps previously described above with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. When coupled with the lateral extension panels 840, the removable height extension panels 860 b may increase the height of the lateral extension panels to equal the height of the sliding height extension panels 860 a in the operational configuration. A plurality of transportable storage tanks 802 may be coupled and configured with the lateral extension panels 840, sliding height extension panels 860 a, and removable height extension panels 860 b in the operational configuration. A liner (not shown) can be coupled to the height extension panels 860 and draped through an interior of the perimeter defined by the plurality of transportable storage tanks 802 to define a storage container with greater depth and perimeter than a storage container with the same number of tanks and without lateral extension panels 840 and height extension panels 860. Liquids such as water may be stored within the interior of the open storage container formed by the plurality of transportable storage tanks 802 and the liner.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are side views of a transportable storage tank 902 of a mobile storage container system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The transportable storage tank 902 may include any of the components present in the foregoing embodiments and may also include additional components that are not present in the foregoing embodiments. For example, the transportable storage tank 902 may include one or more lateral extension panels 940 and one or more pivoting height extension panels 960 a and removable height extension panels 960 b (generally and collectively 960).

In the embodiment of FIGS. 9A and 9B, the depth and perimeter of an open storage container defined by a plurality of transportable storage tanks 902 may be increased by increasing the height and perimeter of the transportable storage tanks 902. Lateral extension panels 940, sliding height extension panels 960 a, and removable height extension panels 960 b may all increase the height and perimeter of a storage container defined by a plurality of transportable storage tanks 902.

While in a stowed configuration, the lateral extension panels 940 may be disposed adjacent to the front surface of the tank body 910. The lateral extension panels 940 may be slidably coupled to the front surface of the tank body 910, and may transition to the operational configuration by sliding outward from the front surface of the tank body 910 and may increase the perimeter of the open storage container. In other embodiments, the lateral extension panels 940 may be rotatably coupled to the tank body 910 and may transition to the operational configuration by rotating outward from the front surface of the tank body 910 and may increase the perimeter of the open liquid storage container.

The pivoting height extension panels 960 a may be rotatably coupled to a hinge disposed in an extended portion of the tank body 910. In the stowed configuration, the pivoting height extension panels 960 a may be disposed adjacent to the lateral extension panels 940 and the front surface of the transportable storage tank 902. In the operational configuration, a lower lateral surface of the pivoting height extension panels 960 a may be disposed adjacent to the top surface of the tank body 910 and may extend the height of the storage container above the transportable storage tank 902 in the center portion of the tank body 910.

The removable height extension panels 960 b may be coupled to the top surface of the lateral extension panels 940 by a plurality of coupling clamps such as the clamps previously described in FIGS. 5A and 5B. When coupled to the lateral extension panels 940, the removable height extension panels 960 b may increase the height of the lateral extension panels to be equal to the height of the pivoting height extension panels 960 a in an operational configuration. A plurality of transportable storage tanks 902 may be coupled and configured with the lateral extension panels 940, rotating height extension panels 960 a, and removable height extension panels 960 b in the operational configuration. A liner (not shown) can be coupled to the height extension panels 960 and draped through an interior of the perimeter defined by the plurality of transportable storage tanks 902 to define a storage container with greater depth and perimeter than a storage container with the same number of tanks and without lateral extension panels 940 and height extension panels 960. Liquids such as water may be stored within the interior of the open storage container formed by the plurality of transportable storage tanks 902 and the liner.

FIG. 10 is an interior view of a mobile storage container system 1000, according to another embodiment. The mobile storage container system 1000 includes a plurality of transportable storage tanks 1002 in an operational configuration. The transportable storage tank 1002 of FIG. 10 may include any of the components present in the foregoing embodiments and may also include additional components that are not present in any of the foregoing embodiments. The transportable storage tanks 1002 include a plurality of lateral extension panels 1040 and a plurality of removable height extension panels 1060.

Similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 8A-8B and 9A-9B, the height and perimeter of a storage container defined by the transportable storage tanks 1002 in an operational configuration are increased by the lateral extension panels 1040 and the removable height extension panels 1060. The embodiment of FIG. 10 is a variation of the embodiments of FIGS. 8A-8B and 9A-9B with a second set of removable height extension panels 1060 in place of the sliding extension panels 860 a of FIGS. 8A-8B or the pivoting height extension panels 960 a of FIG. 9A-9B. The removable height extension panels 1060 may be coupled to the tank body 1010 of the transportable storage tanks 1002 and/or the lateral extension panels 1040 by panel clamps as previously described.

FIGS. 11A-11F are front and side views of a transportable storage tank 1102 of a mobile liquid storage container system, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the transportable storage tank of FIGS. 11A-11F may include any of the components present in the foregoing embodiments and may include additional components that are not present in any of the foregoing embodiments. For example, the transportable storage tank 1102 includes a liner deployment system 1170. The liner deployment system 1170 may include a motor 1172, and an extendable pulley arm 1174, and a hoist cable 1176. FIGS. 11B-11F illustrate various points of progression in deploying a liner 1104 using the liner deployment system 1170. The liner 1104 is raised by the liner deployment system 1170 over a height extension panel 1160 and secured to the height extension panel 1160 by a liner coupling device 1112.

FIGS. 12A-12C are views of a transportable storage tank 1202 of a mobile storage container system, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The transportable storage tank 1202 may include any of the components present in the foregoing embodiments and may also include additional components that are not present in the foregoing embodiments.

The transportable storage tank 1202 includes one or more lateral extension panels 1240 and one or more pivoting height extension panels 1260.

The lateral extension panels 1240 of the transportable storage tank 1202 pivot to open from a stowed configuration against a front side panel of the tank to an operational configuration in which the lateral extension panels 1240 extend laterally outward to increase a perimeter of an open storage container defined by a plurality of the transportable storage tanks 1202. In other embodiments, the lateral extension panels 1240 may slide or may be removably coupled to the transportable storage tank 1202.

A pivoting height extension panel 1260 rotates about hinges upward from a top surface of the transportable storage tank 1202. The pivoting height extension panel 1260 in a stowed configuration may lay flat against a top panel of the tank body of the transportable storage tank 1202. The pivoting height extension panel 1260 rotates about the hinges to an upright orientation, as shown in FIG. 12B. The pivoting height extension panel 1260 may further include lateral height extension panels 1260 b that rotate outward from the height extension panel 1260 to increase a height of the storage container defined by the transportable storage tanks 1240 at portions where the perimeter is extended by the lateral extension panels 1240, as shown in FIG. 12C.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a mobile storage container system 1300, according to another embodiment, without a liner. The mobile storage container system 1300 includes a plurality of transportable storage tanks 1302 arranged in a circular perimeter to receive a liner (not shown for simplicity). The mobile storage container system 1300 is configured to be transportable to a desired location to erect or otherwise assemble an open storage container having an interior for storing a material, such as water or other liquid. The plurality of transportable storage tanks 1302 is configured to be parked or otherwise arranged to form a perimeter of an open storage container.

The transportable storage tanks 1302 each include one or more arm plates 1382 to secure a spreader beam. The arm plates 1382 and/or spreader beams may provide additional structural support to a wall of the storage tank 1302 and structural support for one or more hinges or other coupling mechanisms for extension panels and/or coupling mechanisms.

Each transportable storage tank 1302 can be coupled to adjacent transportable storage tanks 1302 within the perimeter. Adjacent transportable storage tanks 1302 can be coupled together with a coupling mechanism. In the mobile storage container system 1300 of FIG. 13, the coupling mechanism is a set of one or more cables 1343 secured at one end to a first transportable storage tank 1302 and secured at the other end to an adjacent second transportable storage tank 1302. As can be appreciated, in other embodiments the coupling mechanism may comprise one or more of braces, shafts, locking mechanisms, pins, shackles, or any other suitable coupling mechanism. In FIG. 13, the cables 1343 are secured to a spreader beam on each adjacent transportable storage tank 1302.

Each transportable storage tank 1302 of the embodiment of FIG. 13 also includes one or more lateral extension panels 1342 to extend laterally outward. The lateral extension panels 1342 may transition from a stowed configuration to an operational configuration extending laterally outward from transportable storage tank 1302. The lateral extension panels 1342 define a portion of the perimeter, allowing the adjacent transportable storage tanks 1302 to be separated by a certain distance. The lateral extension panels 1342 may be of a sufficiently rigid material to withstand forces of a material stored within the storage container and to facilitate fixedly coupling adjacent transportable storage tanks 1302 to limit or even prevent undesired decoupling of the tanks when an outward pressure is applied to the lateral extension panels 1342. In a stowed configuration, the lateral extension panels 1342 may be disposed adjacent to and/or coupled to the tank body 310 of a single storage tank 1302. The lateral extension panel 1342 may transition from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration, extending laterally from the transportable storage tank 1302 to increase the perimeter of the storage container 301. In FIG. 13, the lateral extension panels 1342 hingedly couple to a front side panel (or more interior side panel) of the transportable storage tank 1302.

To transition the lateral extension panel 1342 to the operational configuration, a coupling mechanism may be released (e.g., a set of pins may be removed from an aligned set of eyes to allow an end of the lateral extension panel 1342 to release from the transportable storage tank 1302. The lateral extension panel 1342 can then rotate about one or more hinges 1344 to the operational configuration, in which the lateral extension member 1342 extends laterally from the transportable storage tank 1302. In FIG. 13, the lateral extension panels 1342 open and are supported by the sets of one or more cables 1342. The lateral extension panels 1342 swing about the hinges 1344 to the operational configuration and are supported against further outward swinging and outward forces such as may be produced by liquid within the storage container.

In other embodiments, a free end (opposite the hinges 1344) of the lateral extension panels 1342 can then couple to the second cooperating coupling mechanism of an adjacent transportable storage tank 1302. In this manner, the lateral extension panels 1342 may function as a coupling mechanism that secures adjacent transportable storage tanks 1302 to form the perimeter of the storage container. In other words, the lateral extension panels 1342 in an operational configuration may be simultaneously coupled to the tank body of two adjacent transportable storage tanks 1302. In still other embodiments, the free ends of adjacent lateral extension panels 1342 may couple together.

FIG. 14A is an isometric view of a transportable storage tank 1402 of a mobile storage container system, according to another embodiment. FIG. 14B is a side elevation view of the transportable storage tank 1402 of FIG. 14A. FIG. 14C is a top view of the transportable storage tank 1402 of FIG. 14A. Referring generally and collectively to FIGS. 14A-14C, the transportable storage tank 1402 includes one or more arm plates 1482 secured to a top surface or top panel 1426 and/or a base panel 1422. The arm plates 1482 may stabilize and/or further secure a spreader beam 1484 at or to a side panel 1424 of the transportable storage tank 1402. The arm plates 1482 and/or spreader beams 1484 may provide additional structural support to a wall of the storage tank 1402 and structural support for one or more hinges or other coupling mechanisms for extension panels and/or coupling mechanisms

As shown in FIG. 14C, one or more lateral extension panels 1442 may couple to the transportable storage tank 1402 at hinges 1444 coupled to the spreader beam 1484. One or more cables 1443 may also couple to the transportable storage tank 1402 and support the one or more lateral extension panels 1442.

FIG. 15A is an enlarged top view of a transportable storage tank 1502 of a mobile storage container system, according to one embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 15A is an enlarged view of a top arm plate 1582 providing securement and structural support for a spreader beam 1584 that is secured to a side panel 1524 of the transportable storage tank 1502. The spreader beam 1584 that is illustrated is an I-beam. As can be appreciated, other forms and/or structures of spreader beams may be possible and/or suitable to provide desired structure.

FIG. 15B is an enlarged top cross-sectional view of the transportable storage tank 1502 of FIG. 15A. The spreader beam 1584 supports one or more lugs 1588, which in turn support one or more hinges 1544 about which a lateral extension panel 1542 pivots. The lateral extension panel 1542 is shown in an open configuration and also in phantom lines in a stowed configuration. The one or more lugs 1588 enable connection or securement of one or more cables 1543 to the transportable storage tank, as shown in greater detail in FIGS. 17 and 18 and described below with reference to the same. The lateral extension panel 1542 in the open configuration can abut and be supported by the one or more cables 1543 against outward forces generated by material (e.g., liquid) within the container. A cover plate 1581 may envelop or otherwise cover the spreader beam 1584 to protect a liner from snags or sharp edges of the spreader beam 1584.

FIG. 15C is an enlarged partial-sectional side view of the transportable storage tank 1502 of FIG. 15A showing a spreader beam 1584. A top arm plate 1582 a and a bottom arm plate 1582 b secure and/or stabilize the spreader beam 1584 into position at or against the side panel 1524 of the transportable storage tank 1502. A plurality of lugs 1588 are secured to (e.g., welded) and supported by the spreader beam 1584. The lugs 1588 enable securement of cables (not shown in FIG. 15C, but see the cable 1543 in FIG. 15B), which can couple the transportable storage tank 1502 to an adjacent transportable storage tank. The lateral extension panel 1542 rotates or pivots about one or more hinges 1544 secured to the lugs 1588 and/or the spreader beam 1584. The cover plate 1581 can shield a liner (not shown) from the spreader beam 1584.

FIG. 16A is a top view of a first end of a lateral extension panel 1642 of a transportable storage tank of a mobile storage container system, according to one embodiment. The lateral extension panel 1642 may include a reinforced portion 1653 or stiffening plate to enhance structural integrity while maintaining relatively light weight. A curved portion 1651 at the first end of the lateral extension panel 1642 may also improve structural integrity and rigidity as well as facilitate coupling the lateral extension panel 1642 to hinges and transitioning the lateral extension panel 1642 between a stowed configuration and an operational configuration.

FIG. 16B is another top view of free ends of lateral extension panels 1642 a, 1642 b of transportable storage tanks. The free ends (each opposite a hinged end) of the lateral extension panels 1642 a, 1642 b may overlap to ensure integrity of a perimeter of a storage container formed by the transportable storage tanks. A chamfer 1655 in a first lateral extension panel 1642 a may facilitate a consistent surface at the overlap of the lateral extension panels 1642 a, 1642 b.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of a cable coupling mechanism 1790 of a transportable storage tank of a mobile storage container system, according to one embodiment. The cable coupling mechanism 1790 includes a lug 1788 with an eyelet and a shackle 1789 to engage a looped cable 1743. The lug 1788 can be secured to a spreader beam 1784 to enable securement of the cable 1743 to the spreader beam 1784 and thereby to the transportable storage tank. The cable coupling mechanism 1790 enables securing adjacent transportable storage tanks of the mobile container system to form a perimeter of a storage container.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of a cable coupling mechanism 1890 of a transportable storage tank of a mobile storage container system, according to another embodiment. The cable coupling mechanism 1890 includes a dual lug 1888 a, 1888 b spaced to receive a loop of a cable 1843. A pair of eyelets through the respective lugs 1888 a, 1888 b receive a pin 1889. The pin 1889 passes through a top lug 1888 a and passes through to engage a loop of the cable 1843 and continue to pass through the bottom lug 1888 b. The dual lug 1888 a, 1888 b can be secured to a spreader beam 1884 to enable securement of the cable 1843 to the spreader beam 1884 and thereby to the transportable storage tank.

As can be appreciated, other cable coupling mechanisms may be used, including hooks, carabineers, and the like.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Some examples of embodiments of mobile storage container systems are provided below.

Example 1

A method of erecting a mobile storage container, the method comprising: arranging a plurality of transportable storage tanks to define a perimeter of a mobile storage container; extending a liner through an interior of the perimeter; and coupling the liner to the plurality of transportable storage tanks to form the mobile storage container.

Example 2

The method of Example 1, further comprising: coupling together adjacent transportable storage tanks of the plurality of transportable storage tanks with a coupling mechanism.

Example 3

The method of Example 2, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises one or more cables.

Example 4

The method of Example 2, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a plurality of sets of one or more cables, and wherein coupling comprises securing adjacent transportable storage tanks with a set of one or more cables of the plurality of sets.

Example 5

The method of Example 4, wherein securing adjacent transportable storage tanks comprises securing a first end of a set of one or more cables to a transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks and securing a second end of the set of one or more cables to an adjacent transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks.

Example 6

The method of Example 2, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a pin configured to engage a first eye on a given transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks and a second eye on an adjacent transportable storage tanks.

Example 7

The method of Example 1, further comprising: transitioning one or more lateral extension panels of each transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks from a stowed configuration to an operational configuration.

Example 8

The method of Example 7, wherein coupling the liner to the plurality of transportable storage tanks includes coupling the liner to the plurality of lateral extension panels.

Example 9

The method of Example 7, further comprising: coupling together adjacent transportable storage tanks of the plurality of transportable storage tanks by coupling a lateral extension panel of a given transportable storage tank to an adjacent transportable storage tank.

Example 10

The method of Example 7, further comprising: coupling together the plurality of transportable storage tanks by coupling a lateral extension panel of given transportable storage tank to a lateral extension panel of an adjacent transportable storage tank.

Example 11

The method of Example 1, further comprising: filling the transportable storage tanks.

Example 12

A method of storing a liquid material, the method comprising: positioning a plurality of transportable storage tanks to define a perimeter of a mobile storage container; coupling a liner to the plurality of transportable storage tanks to form the mobile storage container, with the liner extending between the plurality of storage tanks through an interior of the perimeter; and filling the mobile storage container with a liquid material.

Example 13

The method of Example 12, further comprising: filling the transportable storage tanks with the liquid material.

Example 14

The method of Example 12, further comprising: coupling together the plurality of transportable storage tanks using a coupling mechanism separate and distinct from the liner.

Example 15

The method of Example 14, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises one or more cables secured to and extending between adjacent transportable storage tanks of the plurality of transportable storage tanks.

Example 16

The method of Example 14, wherein coupling comprises utilizing the coupling mechanism to secure each transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks to an adjacent transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks.

Example 17

The method of Example 12, further comprising: transitioning one or more lateral extension panels of each transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks from a stowed configuration to an operational configuration extending laterally outward from the transportable storage tank.

Example 18

The method of Example 17, wherein coupling the liner to the plurality of transportable storage tanks includes coupling the liner to the plurality of lateral extension panels.

Example 19

The method of Example 17, further comprising: coupling together the plurality of transportable storage tanks by coupling a lateral extension panel of a transportable storage tank to an adjacent transportable storage tank.

Example 20

The method of Example 17, further comprising: coupling together the plurality of transportable storage tanks by coupling a lateral extension panel of given transportable storage tank to a lateral extension panel of an adjacent transportable storage tank.

Example 21

A mobile storage container system comprising: a plurality of transportable storage tanks to be arranged to form a perimeter of a storage container; and a liner to be coupled to the plurality of transportable storage tanks arranged to form the perimeter, the liner extending through an interior of the perimeter between the plurality of transportable storage tanks to form the container.

Example 22

The mobile storage container system of Example 21, wherein each transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks comprises a coupling mechanism to secure the transportable storage tank to an adjacent transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks.

Example 23

The mobile storage container system of Example 22, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a pin configured to engage a first eye on the transportable storage tank and a second eye on the adjacent transportable storage tank.

Example 24

The mobile storage container system of Example 22, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a set of one or more cables to be secured at a first end to the transportable storage tank and at a second end to the adjacent transportable storage tank.

Example 25

The mobile storage container system of Example 21, further comprising plurality of coupling mechanisms to secure adjacent transportable storage tanks of the plurality of transportable storage tanks.

Example 26

The mobile storage container system of Example 21, further comprising: a plurality of height extension panels, each configured to transition from a stowed configuration to an operational configuration extending upward to increase a height dimension of the perimeter of the container, wherein the liner couples to the plurality of transportable storage tanks by coupling to the plurality of height extension panels.

Example 27

The mobile storage container system of Example 26, wherein each of the plurality of height extension panels is removable from the stowed configuration and transitions to the operational configuration by connecting to a top surface of a transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks to extend upward from the top surface to increase the height dimension of the perimeter of the container.

Example 28

The mobile storage container system of Example 26, wherein each of the plurality of height extension panels is slidable relative to a transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks and is configured to transition from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration by sliding upward from the stowed configuration and locking into place in the operational configuration to increase the height dimension of the perimeter of the container.

Example 29

The mobile storage container system of Example 26, wherein each of the plurality of height extension panels pivots about hinges relative to a transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks and is configured to transition from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration by pivoting upward from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration to increase the height dimension of the perimeter of the container.

Example 30

The mobile storage container system of Example 21, further comprising: a plurality of lateral extension panels each configured to transition from a stowed configuration to an operational configuration extending laterally from the transportable storage tank to increase the perimeter of the container, wherein each lateral extension panel of the plurality of lateral extension panels is configured in the operational configuration, to be coupled at a first end to an end of a transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks to increase the perimeter of the container.

Example 31

The mobile storage container system of Example 30, wherein the liner further couples to the plurality of transportable storage tanks by coupling to the plurality of lateral extension panels.

Example 32

The mobile storage container system of Example 30, wherein each of the plurality of lateral extension panels is configured at a second end to engage, in the operational configuration, one of: an end of an adjacent transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks and a second end of an extension panel of an adjacent transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks.

Example 33

The mobile storage container system of Example 30, wherein each of the plurality of lateral extension panels is removable from the stowed configuration and is configured at the first end to reconnect at the first end to the end of the transportable storage tank.

Example 34

The mobile storage container system of Example 30, wherein each of the plurality of lateral extension panels is slidably coupled to the transportable storage tank and is configured to slide from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration with a first end connected to the end of the transportable storage tank.

Example 35

The mobile storage container system of Example 30, wherein each of the plurality of lateral extension panels pivots about hinges relative to the transportable storage tank and is configured to transition from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration by pivoting laterally outward from the stowed configuration about hinges disposed at the first end and coupled at the end of the transportable storage tank.

Example 36

The mobile storage container system of Example 30, further comprising: a plurality of height extension panels, each configured to transition from a stowed configuration to an operational configuration extending upward to increase a height dimension of the perimeter of the container, wherein the liner couples to the plurality of transportable storage tanks by coupling to the plurality of height extension panels.

Example 37

The mobile storage container system of Example 36, wherein each of the plurality of height extension panels is removable from the stowed configuration and transitions to the operational configuration by connecting to a top surface of a transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks to extend upward from the top surface to increase the height dimension of the perimeter of the container.

Example 38

The mobile storage container system of Example 36, wherein each of the plurality of height extension panels is slidable relative to a transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks and is configured to transition from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration by sliding upward from the stowed configuration and locking into place in the operational configuration to increase the height dimension of the perimeter of the container.

Example 39

The mobile storage container system of Example 36, wherein each of the plurality of height extension panels pivots about hinges relative to a transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks and is configured to transition from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration by pivoting upward from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration to increase the height dimension of the perimeter of the container.

Example 40

The mobile storage container system of Example 21, wherein each transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks is configured to store liquid.

Example 41

A transportable storage tank comprising: a base panel; one or more side panels coupled to the base panel; a top panel coupled to the one or more side panels; a liner coupling mechanism to couple a liner to the transportable storage tank, the liner to be attached to a plurality of transportable storage tanks, including the transportable storage tank, arranged to form a perimeter, the liner to extend through an interior of the perimeter to form a mobile storage container.

Example 42

The transportable storage tank of Example 41, further comprising: a coupling mechanism to couple a side panel of the one or more side panels of the transportable storage tank to a second transportable storage tank to form the perimeter.

Example 43

The transportable storage tank of Example 42, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a pin configured to engage a first eye on the transportable storage tank and a second eye on the adjacent transportable storage tank.

Example 44

The transportable storage tank of Example 42, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a set of one or more cables to be secured at a first end to the transportable storage tank and at a second end to the adjacent transportable storage tank.

Example 45

The transportable storage tank of Example 41, further comprising a pair of coupling mechanisms to secure the transportable storage tank to a pair of adjacent transportable storage tanks.

Example 46

The transportable storage tank of Example 41, further comprising: a height extension panel configured to transition from a stowed configuration to an operational configuration extending upward to increase a height dimension of the perimeter mobile storage container, wherein the liner coupling mechanism is disposed on the height extension panel.

Example 47

The transportable storage tank of Example 46, wherein the height extension panel is removable from the stowed configuration and transitions to the operational configuration by connecting to a top surface of the transportable storage tank to extend upward from the top panel to increase a height dimension of the perimeter.

Example 48

The transportable storage tank of Example 46, wherein the height extension panel is slidable relative to the transportable storage tank and is configured to transition from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration by sliding upward from the stowed configuration and locking into place in the operational configuration to increase a height dimension of the perimeter.

Example 49

The transportable storage tank of Example 46, wherein the height extension panel pivots about hinges relative to the transportable storage tank and is configured to transition from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration by pivoting upward from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration to increase the height dimension of the perimeter.

Example 50

The transportable storage tank of Example 41, further comprising: a lateral extension panel configured to transition from a stowed configuration to an operational configuration extending laterally from the transportable storage tank to increase the perimeter of the container, wherein the lateral extension panel is configured in the operational configuration, to be coupled at a first end to an end of the transportable storage tank to increase the perimeter of the mobile storage container.

Example 51

The transportable storage tank of Example 50, further comprising a second liner coupling mechanism disposed on the lateral extension panel to couple the liner to the lateral extension panel.

Example 52

The transportable storage tank of Example 50, wherein each of the extension panel is configured at a second end to engage, in the operational configuration, one of: an end of an adjacent transportable storage tank and a second end of an extension panel of an adjacent transportable storage tank.

Example 53

The transportable storage tank of Example 50, wherein the lateral extension panel is removable from the stowed configuration and is configured at the first end to reconnect at the first end to the end of the transportable storage tank.

Example 54

The transportable storage tank of Example 50, wherein the lateral extension panel is slidably coupled to the transportable storage tank and is configured to slide from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration with a first end connected to the end of the transportable storage tank.

Example 55

The transportable storage tank of Example 50, wherein the lateral extension panel pivots about hinges relative to the transportable storage tank and is configured to transition from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration by pivoting laterally outward from the stowed configuration about hinges disposed at the first end and coupled at the end of the transportable storage tank.

Example 56

The transportable storage tank of Example 50, further comprising: a height extension panel configured to transition from a stowed configuration to an operational configuration extending upward to increase a height dimension of the perimeter of the container, wherein the liner couples to the plurality of transportable storage tank by coupling to the height extension panel.

Example 57

The transportable storage tank of Example 56, wherein the height extension panel is removable from the stowed configuration and transitions to the operational configuration by connecting to a top surface of a transportable storage tank to extend upward from the top surface to increase the height dimension of the perimeter of the container.

Example 58

The mobile storage container system of Example 56, wherein each of the plurality of height extension panels is slidable relative to the transportable storage tank and is configured to transition from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration by sliding upward from the stowed configuration and locking into place in the operational configuration to increase the height dimension of the perimeter of the container.

Example 59

The transportable storage tank of Example 56, wherein the height extension panel pivots about hinges relative to the transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks and is configured to transition from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration by pivoting upward from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration to increase the height dimension of the perimeter of the container.

The examples and embodiments disclosed herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and exemplary, and not a limitation of the scope of the present disclosure in any way. It will be understood to those having skill in the art that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the disclosure herein. For example, any suitable combination of various embodiments, or the features thereof, is contemplated.

The above description provides numerous specific details for a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, those of skill in the art will recognize that one or more of the specific details may be omitted, or other methods, components, or materials may be used. In some cases, operations are not shown or described in detail.

The described features, operations, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It will also be readily understood that the order of the steps or actions of the methods described in connection with the embodiments disclosed may be changed as would be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, any order in the drawings or Detailed Description is for illustrative purposes only and is not meant to imply a required order, unless specified to require an order.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim require more features than those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following this Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. This disclosure includes all permutations of the independent claims with their dependent claims.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “the embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Recitation in the claims of the term “first” with respect to a feature or element does not necessarily imply the existence of a second or additional such feature or element. Elements recited in means-plus-function format are intended to be construed in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §112(f).

It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the claims. 

1. A method of erecting a mobile storage container, the method comprising: arranging a plurality of transportable storage tanks to define a perimeter of a mobile storage container; extending a liner through an interior of the perimeter; and coupling the liner to the plurality of transportable storage tanks to form the mobile storage container.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: coupling together adjacent transportable storage tanks of the plurality of transportable storage tanks with a coupling mechanism.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises one or more cables.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a plurality of sets of one or more cables, and wherein coupling comprises securing adjacent transportable storage tanks with a set of one or more cables of the plurality of sets.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein securing adjacent transportable storage tanks comprises securing a first end of a set of one or more cables to a transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks and securing a second end of the set of one or more cables to an adjacent transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a pin configured to engage a first eye on a given transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks and a second eye on an adjacent transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transitioning one or more lateral extension panels of each transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks from a stowed configuration to an operational configuration.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein coupling the liner to the plurality of transportable storage tanks includes coupling the liner to the plurality of lateral extension panels.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising: coupling together adjacent transportable storage tanks of the plurality of transportable storage tanks by coupling a lateral extension panel of a given transportable storage tank to an adjacent transportable storage tank.
 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising: coupling together the plurality of transportable storage tanks by coupling a lateral extension panel of given transportable storage tank to a lateral extension panel of an adjacent transportable storage tank.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: filling the transportable storage tanks.
 12. A method of storing a liquid material, the method comprising: positioning a plurality of transportable storage tanks to define a perimeter of a mobile storage container; coupling a liner to the plurality of transportable storage tanks to form the mobile storage container, with the liner extending between the plurality of storage tanks through an interior of the perimeter; and filling the mobile storage container with a liquid material.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: filling the transportable storage tanks with the liquid material.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: coupling together the plurality of transportable storage tanks using a coupling mechanism separate and distinct from the liner.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises one or more cables.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein coupling comprises utilizing the coupling mechanism to secure each transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks to an adjacent transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks.
 17. The method of claim 12, further comprising: transitioning one or more lateral extension panels of each transportable storage tank of the plurality of transportable storage tanks from a stowed configuration to an operational configuration extending laterally outward from the transportable storage tank.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein coupling the liner to the plurality of transportable storage tanks includes coupling the liner to the plurality of lateral extension panels.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: coupling together the plurality of transportable storage tanks by coupling a lateral extension panel of a transportable storage tank to an adjacent transportable storage tank.
 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: coupling together the plurality of transportable storage tanks by coupling a lateral extension panel of given transportable storage tank to a lateral extension panel of an adjacent transportable storage tank. 